Nadine 006

Sinking into the softness of the couch, I gaze at the shimmering ring on my finger. How did my life change so suddenly?

I was supposed to be Mrs. Nadine Bennett, but fate had other plans. Now, I’m married to none other than Logan West.

He’s undeniably the most powerful man in the city. Though he keeps a low profile, his name alone strikes fear into the hearts of many. 

No one dares cross him; his presence commands authority and his very stance radiates power.

Life with Logan has been a whirlwind of emotions. True to his word, he stays out of my affairs, and I do my best to stay out of his.

I’m grateful I took a month off while preparing for my wedding with Jake. Now, I have time to figure out what it means to be Logan’s wife.

After signing the contract, a priest came in to marry us, and a stranger signed as our witness. 

I went to see my mom afterward, and thankfully, her dialysis treatment for chronic kidney disease is going well.

The media has been buzzing about Jake’s marriage to Nathalie. I’m not sure how the story leaked, but I know soon enough, they’ll move on to something else.

But surprisingly everything suddenly went silent, like the media completely forgot about our marriage. It’s as if the buzz just vanished overnight.

"We need to hurry," Logan’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

I nod, meeting his intense gaze. His stare sends a shiver down my spine.

He’s the kind of man who makes your clit dripping wet before you even realize it, your muscles tense, heat rising, as you try to keep your arousal in check. Just with one look.

I remind myself to rein in my emotions, aware of the terms laid out in our contract.

"Remember what we talked about," he says, clearing his throat, trying to ease the tension between us.

"Yes, I remember." I glance down at the folder in my hands, full of scripted answers to questions about how we met. 

A wave of conflicting emotions washes over me as I think about meeting his family. Will they see through our act?

But something hits me at that moment: I don’t fucking care what anyone thinks anymore. My only focus is surviving the web of lies Logan and I have created.

Without a word, Logan tosses a dress bag onto the bed. "Get dressed. We’re leaving in an hour, and you need to look your best." His tone leaves no room for questions as he strides out of the room.

"Such an arrogant jerk," I mutter under my breath. 

Still, curiosity gets the better of me, and I unzip the bag to reveal an exquisite gown, perfectly tailored to my size. How does he know my size? I wonder for a second before brushing the thought aside.

I head to the bathroom to freshen up and catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. 

There’s a dullness in my eyes. I shake my head at how my life has turned out, but I’m thankful Logan stepped in when he did. 

I hadn’t thought about how my mom would’ve felt if I hadn’t made it out.

After showering, I slip into the gown, applying a bit of makeup. The scarlet satin hugs my curves, and the off-shoulder neckline is trimmed with delicate lace. It’s stunning, and as I look in the mirror, I feel a surge of confidence.

A small smile crosses my lips as I wait for Logan. Soon, he walks in, his steps faltering as he takes in my appearance. 

As I glance at him, I notice his Adam's apple bob as he swallows. Yet, I doubt he's truly affected. 

After all, any man would be captivated by my appearance tonight. To him, however, it seems like nothing special. 

His stoic expression suggests he'd rather be anywhere else. "Ready?" he asks, with a detached tone devoid of emotions.

I nod and move toward the door, my heart skipping a beat, with a light tightening as his hand gently lands on the small of my back. The tingling sensation makes my pulse quicken.

There’s a brief moment of stiffness between us, but Logan quickly regains control. Together, we walk through the hallway toward the elevator. The silence feels thick, and I can’t wait to get out of here.

I steal a glance at him, noticing the slight furrow in his brow, and the subtle twitch at the corner of his lips.

The elevator dings, breaking the silence. As we step inside, the tension between us lingers in the tight space, his presence almost overwhelming. 

I find myself counting down the seconds until we reach the bottom, desperate to escape the awkwardness.

"Is this how my life will be? Awkward and stifling around him?" 

The elevator dings again, and we step out into the corridor. A group of bodyguards is waiting to escort us to the car. Logan leans in close, his breath warm against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Get a grip," I scold myself, trying to steady my nerves for whatever comes next.

"We need to act like a couple in love," he whispers, then pulls away with finality in his voice.

I nod, forcing a smile as I meet his eyes. He leans in, planting a light kiss on my cheek before guiding me toward the waiting car.

The butterfly in my belly flips with excitement as I clench my jaw, trying to keep my emotions in check. I turn to the man beside me, but he looks completely unfazed.

The ride is silent, but the tension feels different now, almost comfortable. Still, I tap my feet nervously, anticipation building as we near Logan’s family home.

The luxury of everything around me is striking—the opulence, the class, the wealth. It’s a world I’ve been thrust into, one I’m still trying to grasp.

As we pull up to the grand gates, they swing open, revealing a magnificent white mansion with a flowing fountain out front. Logan lowers the privacy screen, and the security guard salutes us as we drive in.

One of the bodyguards opens the door for me, but Logan is already there, offering his hand to help me out. I wonder how he moves so quickly, but I smile and accept his hand.

“Thank you,” I mutter, feeling his grip tighten slightly as we walk toward the house.

A woman steps out, her beauty radiant even with age. Her eyes, the same shade as Logan’s, give away that she’s his mother.

“Mother,” Logan says, releasing my hand to embrace her. "It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you.”

It’s refreshing to see this softer side of him after all the stoic moments.

She hugs him tightly but keeps her gaze fixed on me, I keep smiling, not wanting to intrude on their moment.

When she finally lets go, she looks at Logan with deep affection. "You should come home more often, son."

Logan sighs but smiles. "I know, but work keeps me busy. Mother, I’d like you to meet my wife, Nadine."

Her eyes shift toward me, and my heart thuds sharply in my chest as her gaze lingers for just a second, with a furrowed brow.

Oh shit, she doesn’t approve of me.